An Amazing Line-up of New and Ongoing Free Classes at the TLE University

By: Alas Zerbino - TLE Official Blogger

Icontinue to be awed by how focused and quickly the TLE Educational Network is building its free university in Second Life. It seems like there's at least one new class starting every week at this virtual education campus; in fact, my daily perusal of the TLE online calendar almost always reveals a new addition.

But when I looked at the calendar for the upcoming week, I was still struck by the range and number of new classes just added to the many existing ones -- and all available to anyone in Second Life at no cost. The TLE Educational Network is a goldmine of free, real education in this virtual world!

What's more, an increasing number of classes at the TLE Educational Network in SL are right in line with TLE's interest in building its curriculum of free academic courses. The success of the college-level Introduction to Philosophy course just reinforces the belief of the TLE Educational Network board and staff that there's a huge interest in virtual education worldwide -- and a need for TLE's vision of establishing an accredited, degree-giving online university where learning and knowledge are always free.

TLE School of Languages & History

Three of the new classes starting this week are designed to pick away at the language barrier that interferes with people's communication and, therefore, their understanding of each other -- not just in the international virtual world of Second Life, but also in the physical world of Planet Earth. The classes support one of TLE's key initiatives -- to reduce conflict and misunderstanding worldwide through education.

So, if you're looking to improve your communication skills or learn to learn Spanish or English, the TLE School of Languages and History is now offering these classes to help you out:

• Basic Spanish, a course for "newbie" Spanish-speakers in which you will learn Spanish from the first lesson on starts this week. It's being offered on Fridays, from 12 noon to 1 p.m. SLT (Pacific time).
• Starting Sunday, a pair of classes -- one in English and one in Spanish -- in which students "will develop their BICS (Basic Intrapersonal Communication Skills) through a situational, notional, and conversational approach," according to instructor wollied Davido: Conversational Spanish 1 on Sundays, from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. SLT, followed by Ingles Conversacional 1 at 1:30 to 3 p.m.
• Spanish 101, designed to increase your skills in conversational Spanish, taught by Noke Yutza, continues to be available on Thursdays, from 11 a.m. to 12 noon SLT.
• English as a Second Language, on Mondays, from 9 to 10 a.m. SLT, taught by Aris Ametza, help non-English speakers learn the basics of the English language.

Other virtual education offerings from the TLE School of Languages & History include:

• English Composition, Wednesdays, from 5 to 6 p.m. SLT, which focuses on a straightforward process of writing essays for school. Instructor Blue Murfin says the class "will take you through helpful steps enabling you to overcome your fears of essay writing and give you tools to give you an edge in writing papers you've longed for."
• Elizabethan Renaissance--How They Lived, Wednesdays, from 8 to 9 a.m. SLT, during which instructor Roscoe Breen will answer the question, "What it was like to be a person from that era from the lowly peasant to Elizabeth herself?" The class will compare Renaissance life with today's life.
• Virtual World Sociology, designed to build understanding between individuals and cultures, taught by CallieDel Boa, on Tuesdays, from 3 to 4 p.m. SLT.

TLE School of Math & Science

Meanwhile, the TLE School of Math and Science has several classes to increase your knowledge of the natural world and the body's functioning:

• Starting this week is The Immune System in Health and Disease on Thursdays, from 6 to 7 p.m. SLT. Taught by Professor Marenwolf, the course will "introduce the principles of immunology and the functions of the immune system in health and disease." Those with a knowledge of high school biology "will be able to follow the content successfully," he says, and he invites students who want to take the course in preparation for a college course in immunology to let him know so that specific exercises can be included for their benefit.
• Ongoing is the Wildlife Birds of Prey class on Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 12 noon SLT. Instructor Noir Nagy, who's a licensed educator and bird rehabber, teaches how to recognize eagles and other birds of prey, understand their behavior and lifestyle, their biology, falconry, and many other aspects of birds of prey.

TLE School for Creative Arts

A new offering from the TLE School for Creative Arts joins several continuing classes. For those seeking free virtual education in the creative arts, here's what you can choose from right now:

• Starting this week is Fundamentals of Poetry, a class on the basics of writing poetry, taught by ToryLynn Writer on Wednesdays, from 3 to 4 p.m. SLT. "This is a course in poetic basics and style," says ToryLynn a real-world teacher and author. "We will cover rhyme, rhythm, metrical feet, specific sound devices used within poetry, and different forms, so that by the end of the course, the student has a good solid knowledge of the poetic form and function." While offered by the School for Creative Arts, the actual classes will be held at the TLE Creative Showcase for Writers.
• The ever-popular Creative Writing, taught by Kitviel Silberberg on Wednesdays at 8 a.m. SLT and repeated on Thursdays at 12 noon SLT, continues at the TLE School for Creative Arts classroom. The class focuses on writing short stories.
• Theatrical Improv on Thursdays, from 3 to 4 p.m., taught by CallieDel Boa to help develop students' skills in improvising on stage. This class, like the other drama classes, is held in the classroom at the TLE Theater & Movie History Museum.
• Interactive Roleplay on Saturdays, from 8 to 9 a.m. SLT and again from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Another theatrical offering, in this class Shannon Yamabushi teaches "how to role play with the pros. Learn all about the tools you need to get in the game, and the best way to show emotion even with a stubborn av." This class also is held in the classroom at the TLE Theater & Movie History Museum.

TLE School for Newbies & Building in SL

Two popular series of courses continue at the TLE School for Newbies & Building in SL, taught by the highly regarded instructor, Eagle Himmel.

• SL Skills for Newbies is offered every Monday through Thursday, at 2 p.m. SLT. Each day focuses on a different set of skills or knowledge important to making the most of Second Life. Classes always include a Q&A session following the instruction.
• TLE Builders, Tuesdays at 8 a.m. SLT, and Fridays at 2 p.m. SLT, teaches exciting new building skills at the intermediate and advanced level. Each class covers a different project.

TLE School of Business Administration and Humanities

At the TLE School of Business Administration and Humanities:

• The awesome college-level Introduction to Philosophy class, taught Eddy Grunstein continues on Mondays, from 12 noon to to 1:30 p.m. SLT. (Read more about the class in this blog post).

TLE School of Religions

The TLE School of Religions continues to offer:

• The popular Dreams of a Lifetime, on Saturdays from 7 to 8 a.m. SLT, taught by Aris Ametza, who says, "The class will talk about where dreams come from and how to decide which ones are of God."

Ways to Stay In-the-Know About TLE's Virtual Education Offerings:

• Join one or more TLE groups that relate to your interest. To join any or all, go to the TLE Groups Web page, which lists them all and allows online signup by SL residents, or go in-world to the TLE Educational Groups Room on the TLE Main Campus. These take up no Second Life group slots, and they ensure you receive news and updates about classes you're interested in.
• Check the TLE online calendar on the TLE Educational Network Web site.
• Go to the TLE Main Campus, where you'll find a wealth of information on TLE and its classes and events.